Tag Archives: working memory

Limits of Psychology

Look Here Not There: The Limits of Psychology

Daniel Willingham argues that we should acknowledge the limits of psychology education and research for teachers. Although empirical generalizations give us useful guidance, most theories and epistemic assumptions are simply to broad to be helpful. Continue reading



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working memory training

Training Working Memory: Bad News, and Surprising Great News

Training working memory might be effective not because it increases WM, but because it gives participants a chance to figure out a successful strategy. If so, we can give students the same boost simply by telling them that strategy… Continue reading



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assessing inquiry learning

Point/Counterpoint: Escaping the Inquiry Learning Debate

In the absence of consistent research findings, assessing Inquiry Learning can be a challenge. Teachers should rely on basic cognitive variables — like working memory and attention — to reach conclusions about its usefulness. Continue reading



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omega 3 fatty oil

Omega 3 Fish Oil Doesn’t Help, but Research Does

Contrary to their previous research, this team in Britain finds that Omega 3 fish oil doesn’t help students’ behavior or academic performance. These results are disappointing, but their willingness to double check their work this way is admirable. Continue reading



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pollution harms working memory

Does Pollution Really Harm Children’s Working Memory?

Pollution harms students’ working memory, both on their commute to school and in the classroom. Until we can solve this larger social problem, a less polluted route to school should be explored. Continue reading



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sleeplessness harms women

Sleeplessness Harms Women’s Thinking More Than Men’s?

You can understand why this study lit up my twitter feed recently. It makes a…



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musician memory

Do Musicians Really Have Better Memories?

Musicians have better long-term, short-term, and working memory than non-musicians. We don’t know why musician memory is stronger, but we have good hypotheses. Continue reading



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Working Memory Cheat Sheet

I write a lot about working memory on this blog. If you’d like a quick…



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We Need a Bigger Boat

Because working memory is so important for learning, and because human working memory capacity isn’t…



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Lighten the Load

You’d like an 8 page summary of Cognitive Load Theory, written in plain English for…



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